NC lawmakers plan to claw back $300K for HOA after CJ investigation

A private neighborhood is set to lose $300,000 in public funding. 

A conference report released Tuesday evening for House Bill 562, Budget Technical Corrections Modifications, would redirect both state budget earmarks for the Carolina Lakes Property Owners’ Association to Harnett County. 

The county could use the funding for “any public purpose.” 

The conference report does not explain why lawmakers decided to redirect the money. 

Carolina Journal first reported July 22 that lawmakers awarded the Carolina Lakes Property Owners’ Association $160,000 for “emergency services needs” and $140,000 for “various needs, including shelter replacement, repair, and maintenance.” 

The budget contains 727 earmarks but does not identify which lawmaker requested each one, including the two for Carolina Lakes. 

Carolina Journal reported exclusively July 27 that members of the association’s private Facebook group credited Rep. Joe Pike, R-Harnett, with helping secure the funding.  

Carolina Journal confirmed through multiple state records and several current and former residents that Pike lives in Carolina Lakes. 

Mitch Kokai, senior political analyst at the John Locke Foundation, welcomed the proposed redirection but questioned whether the money should be spent at all. 

“If the money must be spent, rather than saved or returned to taxpayers, it would be best to use it for a statewide purpose,” Kokai said. “But targeting the funds to the county at least assures that local taxpayers can hold Harnett officials accountable for how it’s ultimately spent.” 

“Let’s hope the long-term impact is that lawmakers decide to keep a closer eye on the way they plan to use state taxpayer dollars in the future,” Kokai added. “These earmarks are not the best use of this money. But if this type of funding is going to continue, budget writers ought to adopt more safeguards to ensure the funds cover truly public purposes.” 

The Senate calendared the conference report for Wednesday. 

Both chambers must approve the conference report before the funding can be redirected. 

“NC lawmakers plan to claw back $300K for HOA after CJ investigation” was originally published on www.carolinajournal.com.